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Castle Rock City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

82 SIGNS

§ 17.82.010 General.

Signs and other graphics are an essential element of any community. Their location, number, size and design influence a community's visual environment and have an effect upon a viewer's perception of our community.
Properly regulated signs and other graphics will effectively convey their message, be appropriate to their surroundings, and shall contribute to the creation of an attractive community.
No sign, including a copy change, or temporary sign, unless exempted by this chapter, shall be constructed, displayed or altered without a sign permit approved by the city. The city clerk-treasurer or his/her designee shall review all sign permit applications unless otherwise provided.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.020 Permit requirements.

A. 
Sign permit shall be required before the placing, erecting, moving, reconstructing, altering or displaying of any sign within the city, unless expressly exempted by CRMC § 17.82.040. Signs requiring permits shall comply with this chapter and all other applicable laws and ordinances.
B. 
Sign permit applications shall be made on forms provided by the city clerk-treasurer. The completed application form and plans shall be accompanied by the required fee as set by the Castle Rock fee schedule.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.030 Purpose of sign standards.

The purposes of the standards in this chapter are:
A. 
To promote signs that are complementary to buildings and to the uses to which they relate;
B. 
To encourage the promotion of the community's appearance by regulating the design, location, type, scale, illumination, and maintenance of signs;
C. 
To allow businesses to identify their premises and advertise their products;
D. 
To protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community;
E. 
To review the use of signs that provide direction and aid orientation for businesses and activities;
F. 
To encourage the effective use of signs for communication in the city;
G. 
To establish a permit system that allows a variety of types of signs in commercial and industrial districts and a limited variety of signs in other districts, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this chapter;
H. 
To prohibit all signs not expressly allowed by this chapter.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.040 Scope and permit exemptions.

A. 
This chapter applies to all signs that are visible from the public rights-of-way built or altered after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
B. 
The following types of signs are exempted from obtaining a permit:
1. 
Directional signs and signs displaying a public notice or warning service message from an applicable federal, state, or local governmental agency;
2. 
Product dispensers;
3. 
National flags, or flags of political subdivisions;
4. 
Holiday lights, banners, or decorations with no commercial message, built on private property or in the public right-of-way;
5. 
Gravestones;
6. 
Historical site plaques and signs integral to a historic building;
7. 
Structures or improvements intended for a separate use, such as phone booths, Goodwill containers and newspaper recycling boxes;
8. 
Murals on commercial structures that do not include a commercial message;
9. 
Traffic control signs on private property which meet Department of Transportation standards and contain no commercial message of any sort.
All other types of signs require a permit from the city.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.050 Permit application review procedures.

All sign permit applications shall be reviewed for compliance with this chapter by the city clerk-treasurer or his/her designee. A sign permit application shall be completed in full. The permit application shall be reviewed for completeness and returned to the applicant if not complete. A completed sign permit application shall contain the following:
A. 
Name, address, and telephone number of sign owners;
B. 
Name, address, and telephone number of sign contractor or erectors;
C. 
Address of sign by site location;
D. 
Two plot plans showing locations of proposed sign(s);
E. 
Two plans of the proposed sign with sign style and size included with a scaled design;
F. 
Type of sign, whether illuminated or nonilluminated;
G. 
Electrical permit for the sign, if illuminated;
H. 
Sandwich Board (Portable Sidewalk) Signs.
1. 
Prior to the issuance of a sandwich board (portable sidewalk) sign permit, the applicant shall first obtain a license agreement for use of city property.
2. 
Application shall show items in subsections (A) through (G) of this section, as applicable.
3. 
Two plans showing how the sandwich board (portable sidewalk) sign will be anchored to prevent movement or toppling by wind bursts (may be integrated with subsection (D) of this section).
4. 
Sandwich board (portable sidewalk) signs are permitted only during the hours of business operations.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.060 Residential signs – Single-family (R‑1) and two-family (R-2) districts.

A. 
Billboards and sandwich board signs: not allowed.
B. 
Off-premises signs: not allowed.
C. 
Freestanding signs: schools, churches and city government buildings only.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet per side; total 64 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign:
a. 
Bottom edge of sign, not greater than or equal to eight feet above average grade.
b. 
Top edge of sign, not greater than or equal to 16 feet above average grade.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
5. 
If both freestanding and fascia signs are used, only one type will be allowed per street frontage.
D. 
Fascia signs: schools, churches and city government buildings only.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above the parapet or eaves line.
4. 
If both freestanding and fascia signs are used, only one type will be allowed per street frontage.
E. 
Projecting signs: not allowed.
F. 
Rooftop signs: not allowed.
G. 
For Sale/Lease/Rent Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: six square feet per side; total 12 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above the parapet or eaves line.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
H. 
Rotating signs: not allowed.
I. 
Flashing signs: not allowed.
J. 
Directional signs: not allowed.
K. 
Business complex signs (freestanding signs): not allowed.
L. 
Allowable combination of sign types: not allowed.
M. 
Electric signs: not allowed.
N. 
Political Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet per side; total 64 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: unlimited on private property with owner's permission.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above the parapet or eaves line.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
O. 
Home occupation signs: shall not exceed four square feet in gross area, shall be limited to one per property, and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines. The style and materials used shall be in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. Lighted or spotlighted signs are prohibited.
P. 
Bed and breakfast signs: no more than one single-sided advertising sign is permitted. The sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in gross area and shall be located on the same lot with the use to which the sign refers. This sign shall be designed and located in such a position as not to obstruct the view or detract from the residential character of the adjoining areas. No flashing, illuminated or spotlighted signs shall be allowed.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.070 Commercial district signs – C-1 and C-2 districts.

A. 
Billboards: not allowed.
B. 
Off-Premises Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: minimum of 32 square feet; 64 square feet total.
2. 
Number of signs: one per business and copy must be related to the resident manufacturers or industries, and for directional purposes only, 32 square feet.
C. 
Freestanding Signs.
1. 
Sandwich board signs (portable sidewalk signs) as per CRMC § 17.82.050.
2. 
Other freestanding signs' allowable area: one and one-half square feet total per lineal foot of property frontage. No one face can be more than three-fourths square feet per lineal foot.
3. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
4. 
Height of sign:
a. 
(C-1) 35 feet to be measured from top of sign to average grade.
b. 
(C-2) 40 feet to be measured from top of sign to average grade.
5. 
Encroachment over a public right-of-way: not closer than two feet from curbside. Minimum height to bottom of sign shall be 10 feet.
D. 
Fascia Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: minimum of 32 square feet, maximum 250 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: no more than a total of two per business per side.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above parapet or eaves line.
4. 
Fascia signs are not allowed on public right-of-way.
E. 
Projecting Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: maximum 15 percent of a building elevation on which the sign is hung. Total of all sign face areas shall not exceed 250 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: one per elevation per business.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above parapet or eaves line.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: no encroachment allowed for signs less than eight feet above grade; encroachment allowed to three feet for signs placed eight to 10 feet above grade, four feet for signs placed 10 to 12 feet above grade, six feet for signs placed more than 12 feet above grade.
F. 
Rooftop signs: not allowed.
G. 
For Sale/Lease/Rent Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above parapet or eaves lines.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
H. 
Rotating signs: not allowed except barber poles.
I. 
Flashing signs: not allowed except electronic message boards that include the time and temperature.
J. 
Electric Signs.
1. 
Internally illuminated signs must have an opaque background and the illuminated portion of the sign face must not exceed 40 percent of the sign area.
2. 
The light source will be no further away from the sign than the height of the sign.
3. 
A shield will be used to limit the light to the lot where the sign is located.
4. 
The sign cannot shine on vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public right-of-way.
5. 
All electric signs will comply with the National Electric Code (NEC) and the Uniform Sign Code (USC).
K. 
Directional Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: six square feet per side per sign.
2. 
Number of signs: one per function per street frontage.
L. 
Business Complex Signs (Freestanding Signs).
1. 
Allowable area: one and three-fourths square feet per lineal foot of business frontage. No one face can be more than seven-eighths square feet per lineal foot of frontage.
2. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign:
a. 
(C-1) 35 feet to be measured from top of sign to average grade.
b. 
(C-2) 40 feet to be measured from top of sign to average grade.
M. 
Allowable Combination of Sign Types.
1. 
Signs attached to a given building elevation will not exceed a total of 15 percent of that elevation.
2. 
On any street frontage, these combinations shall be allowable:
a. 
Fascia and freestanding signs.
b. 
Fascia and projecting signs.
c. 
Freestanding signs.
d. 
No other combinations allowed.
3. 
Business complex signs are required for any business in a business complex wanting a freestanding sign.
4. 
Combination of sign types shall not be allowed on or above any public right-of-way.
N. 
Signs in the Interstate 5 Corridor (I-5) will comply with the criteria established by the Washington Department of Transportation.
O. 
Political Signs.
1. 
Not allowed on or above the public right-of-way.
2. 
Not allowed on city/public property.
3. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet per side; total 64 square feet.
4. 
Number of signs: unlimited on private property with owners' permission.
5. 
Height of sign: not to extend above the parapet or eaves lines.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.080 Industrial district signs.

A. 
Billboards: allowed.
B. 
Off-Premises Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet; 64 square feet total.
2. 
Number of signs: one per business and copy must be related to the resident manufacturers or industries, and for directional purposes only.
C. 
Freestanding Signs.
1. 
Sandwich board signs: not allowed.
2. 
Other freestanding signs' allowable area: maximum 175 square feet per sign. Total of all signs' faces: maximum 350 square feet.
3. 
Number of signs: one per business per street frontage.
4. 
Height of sign: I-1 per IBC.
5. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
D. 
Fascia Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: maximum 10 percent of building elevation on which the sign is built. Maximum 350 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: no more than one per business per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above parapet or eaves line.
E. 
Projecting Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: maximum 10 percent of building elevation on which the sign is built. Maximum 350 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: no more than one per business per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above parapet or eaves line.
F. 
Rooftop signs: not allowed.
G. 
For Sale/Lease/Rent Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: one per street frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: not exceed parapet or eaves line.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
H. 
Rotating signs: not allowed except barber poles.
I. 
Flashing signs: not allowed except electronic messages that include the time and the temperature.
J. 
Electric Signs.
1. 
For internally illuminated signs, have an opaque background and the illuminated portion of the sign face must not exceed 40 percent of the sign area.
2. 
The light source will be no further away from the sign than the height of the sign.
3. 
A shield will be used to limit the light to the lot where the sign is located.
4. 
The sign cannot shine on vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public right-of-way.
5. 
All electric signs will comply with the National Electric Code (NEC) and the Uniform Sign Code (USC).
K. 
Directional Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: maximum 10 square feet per side per sign.
2. 
Number of signs: one per function per street frontage.
L. 
Industrial Business Complex Signs (Freestanding Signs).
1. 
Allowable area: maximum one and one-half square feet per lineal foot of street frontage.
2. 
Number of signs: one per complex frontage.
3. 
Height of sign: I-1 per IBC.
M. 
Allowable Combination of Sign Types.
1. 
No signs attached to the building will exceed a total of 15 percent of the building elevation.
2. 
On any street frontage, these combinations shall be allowable:
a. 
Fascia and freestanding signs.
b. 
Fascia and projecting signs.
c. 
Freestanding only.
d. 
No other combinations allowed.
N. 
Signs in the Interstate 5 Corridor (I-5) will comply with the criteria established by the Washington Department of Transportation.
O. 
Political Signs.
1. 
Allowable area: 32 square feet per side; total 64 square feet.
2. 
Number of signs: unlimited on private property with owners' permission.
3. 
Height of sign: not to extend above the parapet or eaves line.
4. 
Encroachment on or above the public right-of-way: not allowed.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.090 Special sign districts.

Persons occupying 70 percent or more of the lineal frontage of properties on both sides of a street in any area may petition the city council for the formation of a special sign district for the purpose of creating or maintaining an area with a particular ethnic atmosphere, to simulate a historic period, theater or entertainment area, or other similar purpose. A group of property owners or persons entitled to possession will be chosen by such property owners to comprise an advisory body of the sign district. This body will draw up the criteria for signs in the district and submit such criteria to the city clerk-treasurer for review and recommendation. The city clerk-treasurer will forward the criteria to the planning commission for recommendation before it is submitted to council for approval. The council will instruct the director to notify all owners or persons entitled to possession within the district. If the criteria for a special sign district are approved and become effective, the city shall adopt them by ordinance as regulations of the sign district.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.100 Sign permit fees.

A. 
Permanent Signs. A permit fee shall be paid to the city according to the schedule contained in the International Building Code as it exists or is hereafter amended.
B. 
Temporary Sign or Change-Out Signs. Fees for these signs shall be set by resolution.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.110 Abandoned signs.

A. 
Any abandoned or illegal sign, any sign that exists after a business closes that advertised the closed business, any graffiti placed on a sign, building, parking lot or landscaped area, or any temporary sign that exists after its expiration time is declared to be a danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Castle Rock. Any sign that is partially or wholly obscured by the growth of vegetation or weeds or by the presence of debris or litter also presents a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.
B. 
Any such signs as set forth in subsection (A) of this section are deemed to be a public nuisance. Any such sign shall be removed by the property owner within 10 days after notice from the city clerk-treasurer. Any sign not removed within 10 days after such notice may summarily be abated by the city clerk-treasurer. Costs of such abatement may be assessed against the property using the procedures established in Chapter 8.04 CRMC, Nuisances.
C. 
Legal, conforming structural supports for abandoned signs may remain, if installed within a blank sign face and supporting structures are maintained.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.120 Temporary signs.

Temporary signs will not be painted with light-reflecting paint.
A. 
Political signs shall include those about nonpartisan elections, bond measures, initiatives, and similar matters and to the customary partisan politics. Political signs do not include permanent outdoor advertising structures or billboards, which are regulated by the other sections of this chapter, despite whether political advertising is carried on such outdoor advertising structures or billboards. Political signs shall be removed within 10 days after the date of an election.
B. 
Subdivision signs shall include those about the advertising of residential lots that identify the developer, architect, engineer, real estate company and a lot design. Maximum copy area is 32 square feet for one side, 64 square feet for two sides. Subdivision signs shall be removed within 36 months after the recording of the final plat.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.130 Maintenance of existing nonconforming signs.

Except as restricted in specific zoning districts, existing nonconforming signs may be maintained, altered or structurally revised if:
A. 
The sign was lawfully erected;
B. 
Structural revisions or alterations will not increase the sign's nonconformity with the provisions of this chapter;
C. 
Such alteration or relocation is required because of government action;
D. 
The sign is not changed to another nonconforming sign;
E. 
The sign is not reestablished after discontinuance for 90 days or more; and
F. 
The sign is in full compliance with all ordinances of the city.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.140 Commercial sign erector's license.

To obtain a permit for the erection of a sign in the city of Castle Rock (except painted wall graphics), the applicant must have a Washington State contractor's license under Chapter 18.27 RCW unless he/she is going to install a sign upon his/her own property and is exempted under such requirements by such statutes.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)

§ 17.82.150 Violation and penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any provisions of this title shall be deemed guilty of an offense and shall be punished in accordance with Chapter 17.80 CRMC for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 2018-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)